Events

Since 1999, The Crucible has brought our community of artists, neighbors, families, students, and makers together for events ranging from artists’ talks and demos to fire performances, benefits, and community open houses. For updates about all upcoming events, subscribe to our newsletter.

Important Dates

  • December 23, 2023 – January 1, 2024: Crucible closed for winter break
  • January 8 – January 12: Weeklong Adult Classes
  • January 15: The Crucible’s 25th Birthday!
  • February 29: Field Trip Day
  • March 2: West Oakland Bike Summit
  • March 7: Field Trip Day
  • April 18: Field Trip Day
  • May 9: Field Trip Day
  • June 10 – July 26: Youth Summer Camps
  • July 25: Fuego Youth Leadership Reception
  • July 29: GIFTY vendor applications open
  • August 12 – 23: Weeklong Adult Classes
  • September 7: Fall Open House
  • December 7 & 8: GIFTY 2024

Upcoming Events

See our Bike Shop event page for upcoming event dates.

The Crucible is offering free, community bike maintenance and education to West Oakland and neighboring community members through our quarterly Bike Fix-A-Thons, Open Bike Shop Hours, Femme Bike Night, and Flat Fix Clinics. Drop off your bike for a tune-up or learn basic bike maintenance skills from our faculty and volunteers. We are also leading offsite events at other West Oakland locations.

Free Crucible Tours

Join us for a free, semi-monthly Crucible tour! Learn about the history of our 56,000-square-foot studio, the art and artists that make our space unique, and our nonprofit mission to keep the industrial and fine arts accessible to all.

To accommodate different schedules, tours alternate between Saturday afternoons at 2pm and Thursday evenings at 6pm.

Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis in person. Feel free to RSVP on Eventbrite: Free Crucible Tours! RSVPs made through Eventbrite are for reminder purposes only and do not act as a reservation. Tours are subject to cancellation.

Please note: a portion of the tour requires the use of stairs.

2024 Tour Schedule

Fall dates will be added soon!

  • Thursday, January 25: 6pm
  • Saturday, February 10: 2pm
  • Thursday, February 22: 6pm
  • Saturday, March 9: 2pm
  • Thursday, March 28: 6pm
  • Saturday, April 20: 2pm
  • Thursday, April 25: 6pm
  • Saturday, May 4: 2pm
  • Thursday, May 23: 6pm
  • Saturday, June 8: 2pm
  • Thursday, June 27: 6pm
  • Saturday, July 13: 2pm
  • Thursday, July 25: 6pm

Can’t wait to see inside?

Check out our virtual 3D Tour by clicking the button below! 

GIFTY: The Crucible’s annual craft show and open house

Find out when vendor applications will open and get answers to frequently asked questions.

Browse Past In-person Events

HEAT: A Fire Cabaret

HEAT: A Fire Cabaret Seduction’s Flash Point July 15-17, 2010  7PM EVENTS PHOTOS HERE… PHOTOBOOF PHOTOS HERE… Slip into a forgotten era when fire prohibition was in full effect and the frigid masses were forced underground to seek HEAT. Explore our speakeasy, where bootleg fire boils the blood and inflames the desires of all who enter. Join us for an evening of drinking, dancing and illicit fire with seductive performances both on the stage and throughout the studio from the denizens of HEAT. Join us for The Crucible’s first ever Fire Cabaret. This fantastically fiery evening will be filled with walk-through performance installations, fire sculptures, industrial art demonstrations, photo opportunities and a theatrical stage show divided into four 15-minute chapters presented over the course of the night. Guests are encouraged to dress up and walk around this sizzling interactive experience. Hear the sultry voice of Kim Nalley, one of the world’s best jazz and blues vocalists. Behold the mesmerizing aerial artistry of Scarlett & Axelrod, witness the death defying feats of Gravity Plays Favorites and Jennings & Xiaohong, be captivated byFou Fou Ha!and feel the HEAT from a variety of other hot performers. SMOKING HOT THEATRICAL DEMONSTRATIONS: Stroll through displays of Arc welding flash dance, jewelry peep show, torch cutting burlesque, MIG welding strip tease, TIG welding aerial and many more of the fiery industrial arts as only The Crucible can present. NOTORIOUS FIRE INSTALLATIONS: Feel the radiance of outlawed fire sculptures from Justin Gray, Orion Fredericks, Vance Cearley and others. Experience the glow of illuminated creations from the Sun Brothers, Jeremy Lutes, and others. STRIKE A POSE: Pose yourself for a photo in front of 1920’s vintage bootlegger cars by Jim Callahan and in the notorious Photo Boof. Come decked out in your Deco best… flappers, dandies, gangsters and molls. It’s the 20’s, so roar like you mean it! Designed and Directed by Michael Sturtz Please Note: This is a standing room only event with very limited seating. It is designed as a dress up, walk-through interactive experience. This show also contains mature content and situations that may not be suitable for young children. EVENTS PHOTOS HERE… PHOTOBOOF PHOTOS HERE… Box Office Info Event Location & Directions The Cast What to Wear Photography & Video Lodging {youtube}I8Jd4UXHq0E{/youtube}   Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction Thursday, July 15, 6pm Join us for The Crucible’s annual Soirée! Guests will enjoy a delicious, fire-inspired, three-course dinner and spectacular live art auction featuring exquisite works by top Bay Area artists working in metal, glass and wood, as well as an exclusive opening night performance of Heat: A Fire Cabaret. Learn more and purchase Soirée tickets… Box Office Our box office is located at The Crucible. 1260 7th Street Oakland, CA 94607 Phone: (510) 444-0919, ext. 122 BOX OFFICE HOURS: In-Person On-Line July 6-9 Week Before 2pm-6pm anytime July 10-11 Weekend Before closed anytime July 12-14 Week Of 2pm-6pm anytime Soirée Night – July 15 Day Of 2pm-6pm For tickets for this day […]

HEAT: A Fire Cabaret – Performers

The Cast Main Stage Performers Kim Nalley Band – vocals and live music Scarlett & Axelrod – aerial, dance and acrobatics Gravity Plays Favorites – pole dancing Jennings & Xaiohong – hand to hand balancing Tracy Piper – acrobats Fleeky Flanco – hand balancing and contortion Breonna Noack – contortion Fou Fou Ha! – performance troupe extraordinaire   Theatrical Demo Performers Alysia Hook – torch cutting burlesque Luna Del Fuego – torch cutting burlesque Shareese Wheeler – MIG welding strip-tease Lauren Guajardo – fire hooping burlesque Avi Khalsa – TIG welding contortion Eve Adelfi – belly dancing glass flameworking with violin Jenny Atomik – bridge crane aerial Laura Lynn Balcerzak – mezzanine pole dance Rose Nisker – flamenco tissue aerial Carlos Oxford – aerial tissue Shaina Dyani Johnson – ARC welding flash dance Katy Pomelov – ARC welding flash dance Delina Brooks – afro-cuban blacksmithing dance Larry Hunt – blacksmithing bucket beats Back to Main HEAT page… Main Stage Kim Nalley Band The Band Tammy Hall – piano Michael Zisman – bass Kent Bryson – drums Ned Boynton – guitar Danny Armstrong – trombone   Recently named one of the “Ten Most Influential African Americans in the Bay Area,” Kim Nalley has an international reputation as one of world’s best jazz & blues vocalists. Known for her ability to turn a chattering cocktail-sipping crowd into a rapt audience of lifelong fans in minutes with a beguiling combination of sass, soul and smarts, no trip to San Francisco is complete without hearing Kim Nalley perform. Kim Nalley, in looks and presence is often compared to Billie Holiday, but vocally she packs a 3 1/2 octave range that can go from operatic to gritty blues on a dime, projection that can whisper a ballad yet is capable of filling a room with no microphone, and the ability to scat blistering solos without ever losing the crowd’s interest or the intense swing. Her singing is most reminiscent of the former Basie Singers Helen Humes & Joe Williams with a dash of Dinah Washington and occasional nods to Ella, Sarah and Nina Simone. More information… Scarlett & Axelrod Kate Scarlett and Chloe Axelrod combine imagination, creativity, and skill, to perform a mesmerizing duet on the aerial hoop. Spinning and raised high aloft, their movements take them through a graceful choreography of sculptural beauty. Their performance is a dance of precision and seemingly effortless strength which captivates and delights those who observe. More information… Gravity Plays Favorites   St. Louis socialites Katrina Dohl (aka Katrina the Red or Kate the Great) and Michelle Mynx (aka Michelle Gravity) have been flying high across the nation as Gravity Plays Favorites for over three years. With their unique combination of sexy burlesque and athletic acrobatism with an occasional rock and roll twist. These girls have quickly ascended the ranks of performers to become one of the top billed acts in such events as The New York Burlesque Festival, Cabaret Verdalet in San Fransisco, La Biblioteque in lovely Gotenburg, […]

2010 Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction

  Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction Thursday, July 15, 2010 6pm The Crucible Expect the spectacular. Support The Crucible. Buy your tickets. Join us for The Crucible’s annual Soirée! This fiery, festive, and fabulous evening features a delicious dinner with wine pairings and a spectacular live art auction. This year’s event will be held in The Crucible’s studio and will include an opening night performance of HEAT: A Fire Cabaret. Get a preview of the live auction artwork here… Fabulous fare and delectable drinks. Look forward to an exquisite three-course fire-inspired dinner provided by Grace Street Catering with wine pairings courtesy of Maison, Marques and Domaines and Roederer Estate.Fine art and fire art to the highest bidder. Raise your paddle and take home an extraordinary piece of sculpture. From internationally known masters to emerging artists, our live auction will include an eclectic and electric array of work in metal, glass, and wood, with something for every taste and every budget. Get a preview of the live auction artwork here…Turning up the HEAT. Guests will enjoy an exclusive premiere performance of HEAT: A Fire Cabaret, featuring the sultry jazz vocals of Kim Nalley, the aerial artistry of Scarlett & Axelrod, and flame-filled performances throughout the night. Soirée tickets and auction proceeds support The Crucible’s year-round arts education programs, and a portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. We hope to see you at this not-to-be-missed and not-to-be-forgotten evening. Expect the spectacular. Support The Crucible. Buy your tickets.   Tickets $250 ($150 tax-deductible) Tables of Ten $2,500 ($1,500 tax-deductible) For more information and to purchase tickets by phone, call (510) 444-0919 ext. 119.  

Call For Proposals – Siege of the Gallery

Siege of the Gallery – Call for Curatorial Proposals for a Group Exhibit CALL FOR PROPOSALS! DEADLINE: Friday, June 18, 2010 @ 5PM The Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery is figuratively under siege in July… And it could be your group that occupies our space. We are accepting curatorial proposals for a small group exhibit that accentuate the Cathedral Gallery’s mission of promoting the Crucible classes and showcasing the community of fine and industrial arts. HOW TO APPLY: Guidelines and Eligibility: The Crucible’s mission must be considered when writing and submitting proposals to the Cathedral Gallery: The Crucible is a non-profit educational facility that fosters a collaboration of Arts, Industry and Community. Through training in the fine and industrial arts, The Crucible promotes creative expression, reuse of materials and innovative design while serving as an accessible arts venue for the general public. One Lead Artist/Curator will be in charge of curating the show, coordinating the participating artists, and will be the primary contact in communicating with the Crucible’s gallery staff. A minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 artists, including the Lead Artist/Curator must actively help organize and participate in the exhibit. Artists and curators MUST be based in the Bay Area. Each artist must have 5 to 10 pieces in the exhibit. The Curator and Artists MUST BE PRESENT Opening night. All work must remain in gallery for the duration of the exhibit. All of the following materials are required to be included with your submission to be considered for this opportunity. Required Materials: • Completed Submission Form • Short Project Description (1 paragraph) • Curatorial Statement (1 page maximum) that provides a descriptive explanation of the show proposal and addresses the following questions: – How does the proposed exhibit support the Crucible’s mission? – How does each artist’s work contribute to the overall proposed theme of the exhibit? – In curating and laying out the exhibit, how will the exhibit engage the visitors and utilize the gallery’s unique space? – Should your proposal be accepted, how will working with the Crucible further your artistic goals? • 5-10 Images of work per artist (See Submission form for formatting instructions). • Image List – Including artist name, title, medium, year, dimensions, and price (or insurance value if not for sale) for each work. • Resumes and Bios from each artist. • (Optional) Announcements, fliers, published reviews, etc. from previous exhibitions. Description of Space: The Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery is located in the ground floor of the Historical Cathedral Building located at the triangle between Telegraph Ave and Broadway in Downtown Oakland. Unique features of the space include exposed structural I-beams, very high ceilings, two entrance doors, and adjustable spot-lighting. Artwork is visible through windows on both sides of the gallery from the sidewalk and street 24/7. There is very little wall space for displaying 2D work, and limited electrical sockets for work requiring electricity. Proposals that consider and/or engages the space in a site-specific manner are encouraged. You should be familiar with the gallery and […]

It’s Alive

The Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery presents May 20 – July 2, 2010 Opening Reception – May 20th – 6-9PM Guest Juror: Nemo Gould Artists included: Robert Burnside Patricia Chavez & Chris Niemer Max Chen Jonathan Foote Nemo Gould Adam Hathaway Ken Herrick Billy Hiebert Tracy Jacobs Greg Johnson Robert Stone & Crystal Allen Sudhu Tewari Jeff Tritel Location: Oakland’s Historic Cathedral Building 1603 Broadway @ Telegraph Oakland, CA (map) Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 11AM – 2PM First Fridays 6-9PM

Evening at The Crucible – May 2010

Demos, Discounts and Drinks! Friday, May 14, 2010 6:30 – 9:30PM Converge with Crucible faculty at our industrial arts facility to ignite your creativity. Instructors will be on hand to divulge age-old techniques in jewelry making, hot metal foundry pours and neon. You will learn how artists, limited only by what they can imagine, use these techniques to transform a lump of cold hard metal or glass into an amazing work of art. Works by these artists will be on display, and you can enjoy adult libations from our bar while hanging out with some interesting and inventive folks. Check out information about our great classes, and if you’re a new student or Crucible member, you can also get discounts for class tuition. Music for this evening’s event will be provided by Billy Hiebert. {youtube}nteRVg5ESw8{/youtube} video by Monet Allard We are located just two blocks from West Oakland BART Station.

Spring Open House 2010

2010 Spring Open House Celebrating Student and Faculty Art Saturday, April 17, 2010 • 12 to 4PM FREE Admission Join us this Saturday afternoon as we roll open our doors to show you what we are all about! Don’t Miss… Demonstrations: We will have live demonstrations happening all through out our studio and invite you to explore our space, experience live demos and feel free to ask staff, faculty and volunteers questions. This year our Stone Carving yard is open in the back lot, just follow the signs through our rental studios to out back. Fire Demos: We will be having students from our Art of Fire Dancing class show off their skills spinning fiery poi as well as a fire eating and breathing demo. Open Studios: This year our private studio renters are opening their studios up for all to see. Check out their work and workspaces. Art Show: There will be an art show featuring work from Crucible students, faculty and staff. Don’t miss the neon pieces on display in our Caboose as well as through out the main event space. Class Discount: The hottest part of our open house is a 20% off class tuition discount for spring classes available Saturday only for Members and New Students. To receive the discount you must register at the Open House Registration Desk. Drawings: There will be a drawing for free vintage Crucible event t-shirts as well as free tuition on a Crucible Class. Fill out the entries at the front entrance when you get here. Bicycle Shop: We will have bicycles for all ages and sizes for sale in our Bike Shop on Saturday too. If you need a new ride, stop by and support our bike program with your purchase. They’re perfect for the playa! Youth Summer Camp Tour: At 12:10 sharp we will be doing a tour of our facility, pointing out the amazing classes for youth this summer. Please sign up before hand, as space is limited. PLUS SO MUCH MORE… Photo Gallery – Click Here for Pictures from 2009 Spring Open House     Interested in Youth Summer Camp? Take our Youth Summer Camp Preview Tour on April 17, 2010 at 12PM If you know a young artist (ages 8 to 18) who might enjoy a class at The Crucible, here’s your chance to find out more about our youth classes and camps and the people who teach them.  On April 17, 2010 at 12:10PM, The Crucible  is hosting a tour for families who are interested in our classes, workshops, and camps. This introduction to The Crucible includes a tour of the facility from 12:10 to 1:10PM. Set during our Open House, families can then enjoy all of our exciting demonstrations. The Crucible offers courses not available in schools, typical summer camps or art programs. Here young people 8 to 18 learn to bend metal, shape glass, and control fire; exploring electronics, art, science and much more through age-appropriate classes in a safe, supportive environment. […]

Cast

The Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery presents March 18 – May 7, 2010 Opening Reception – March 18th – 6-9PM   Join us for the opening reception of the latest group exhibition at our gallery in downtown Oakland. Historically, casting has been known as a manufacturing process for metal, but casting is also widely used with glass, concrete, plaster, plastic resin and other materials. ‘Cast’ highlights Bay Area artists’ varied explorations in art utilizing the casting processes. Location: Oakland’s Historic Cathedral Building 1603 Broadway @ Telegraph Oakland, CA (map)Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 11AM – 2PM First Fridays 6-9PMArtists Included: Adrianne Crane • Alex Smith • Alexis Arnold • Anne Maris • Beckey Kaye • Billy Hiebert • Carrie Jurney • Davis Zwicky • Denise Snaer-Gauder • Janet Hiebert • Keith Gall • Kier Lugo • Kitty Hundley • Laura Garnish • Laura Van Duren • Lee Granberg • Marcelo Lund-Montano • Marco Cochrane • Noah Sakamoto • Peter Kropf • Ron Carter • Shenny Philips Cruces • Stavroula Kolitsopoulos • Tracy Jacobs • Warren {morfeo 30} photos by Jan Schlesinger

Evening at The Crucible – February 2010

Demos, Discounts and Drinks! February 26, 2010 6:30 – 9:30PM Free Admission On February 26, converge with Crucible faculty at our industrial arts facility to ignite your creativity. Instructors will be on hand to divulge age-old techniques in blacksmithing, glass flameworking and welding. You will learn how artists, limited only by what they can imagine, use these techniques to transform a lump of cold hard metal or glass into an amazing work of art. Works by these artists will be on display, and you can enjoy adult libations from our bar while hanging out with some interesting and inventive folks. Check out information about our great classes, and if you’re a new student or Crucible member, you can also get discounts for class tuition. Demonstarations by: Blacksmithing — Chris Neimer & Carla Hall Glass Flameworking — Tara Murray & Lance Wright Welding: ARC, MIG, TIG —  Jim Pacheco & Tory Fink We are located just two blocks from West Oakland BART Station. Sponsors

Metal vs. Wood

The Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery presents January 21 – March 5, 2010 Opening Reception – January 21st 6-9PM   The Crucible’s art gallery in Oakland’s historic Cathedral Building, at the triangle between Broadway and Telegraph Avenues, announces its first exhibition of the new year. “Metal vs. Wood/ Wood vs. Metal” is a group exhibition “showdown” featuring new works of art of metal and/or wood. Both media are rooted in tradition and history, and have been utilized for their material qualities for millennia, yet contemporary artists tend to gravitate towards working with one or the other. Encompassing a diversity of techniques, such as joinery, carving, turning, welding, forging, pouring, and machining, Metal vs. Wood showcases work that pushes the boundaries of what these materials have to offer.     Location: Oakland’s Historic Cathedral Building 1603 Broadway @ Telegraph Oakland, CA (map) Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 11AM – 2PM First Fridays 6-9PM Artists Included: James Austin • Clifford Bohm • Don Braden • Charles Cantero • Ilana Caplan • Ben Carpenter • Patricia Chavez • Elise Cirelli • Edward Clapp • Luke Damiani • Laura de Anna • Denise DeRose • Sabrina Fadial • Tory Fink • Jonathan Grover • Colin Harris • Shawn HibmaCronan • Jason Hicky • Celeste Howell • Damon Hyldreth • Liz Judkins • Suzanne Kehr • Peter Kropf • Lorenzo La Bianca • Ara Yun Meng • Chris Neimer • Marcus Papay • Charles Quibell • Benjamin Silva • Partick Stafford • Carol Swift • Jason Takeuchi-Krist • James Watts • Matt Wolpe {morfeo 31} photos by Becca Jay

Watch Past Virtual Events